More than 70 known football hooligans in Lancashire have been shown the red card ahead of the Euro 2004 football championships.

Police obtained enforcement orders against the troublemakers to stop them going to the tournament in Portugal.

Lancashire Police have said all steps will be taken to enforce the orders and stop those banned from leaving the UK.

Those who breach their orders will be taken back to court and could face a prison sentence.

'Law abiding'

The tournament takes place from 12 June to 4 July and the orders will be backed by "rigorous" patrols of ports and airports to stop the hooligans getting through customs checks.

Supt Clive Tattum said the force has supported a government initiative over the last year to tackle the problems of football violence among a minority of fans

"During the past decade, attention has increasingly turned to the poor behaviour of a minority of English football supporters overseas," he said.

"Each incident has brought shame on our national reputation and resulted in many arrests and expulsions of English supporters by host nations."

Further orders

He said apart from the Portuguese, England will have more supporters at the tournament than any other.

"The overwhelming majority of these fans are law abiding and peaceful. We want to ensure that they are allowed to enjoy the football without having to worry about being caught in any violence," said Mr Tattum.

In the run up to the tournament the force will continue to identify people officers feel should be subjects of further banning orders.